Abstract: Described herein are arrangements and methods for achieving intrinsic safety for a radio transmission module. One aspect provides an apparatus for transmitting signals in an explosion-hazardous area with intrinsic safety, including: a radio transmission module having a high frequency module and an electronic control circuit disposed on a printed circuit board, said electronic control circuit being configured to control a voltage supply to the high frequency module in response to one or more of: output voltage of the high frequency module exceeding a predetermined voltage value, as independently measured by at least two independently operating hardware circuits; and a temperature of a heat-conducting potting compound potted over heat generating components disposed on the printed circuit board exceeding a predetermined temperature value, as independently sensed by at least two independently operating temperature circuits. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cartridge device for a measuring system for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid, in particular a blood sample, comprising a cartridge body having at least one measurement cavity formed therein and having at least one probe element arranged in said at least one measurement cavity for performing a test on said sample liquid; and a cover being attachable on said cartridge body; wherein said cover covers at least partially said at least one measurement cavity and forms a retaining element for retaining said probe element in a predetermined position within said at least one measurement cavity. The invention is directed to a measurement system and a method for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a diagnostic composition for use in the viscoelastic analysis of a test liquid, and to a container (1) comprising same. The composition comprises at least an activator of coagulation, and at least one further constituent selected from CaCl2 and from one or more inhibitors and/or coagulation components, wherein the composition is present in essentially dry form of all constituents and in an amount sufficient for performing one single viscoelastic analysis of a specified blood or plasma sample and wherein the constituents are not present in a substance mixture, but in a spatially separated form. The present invention is further directed to a method of performing a viscoelastic analysis on a test liquid, and to the use of the diagnostic composition in such a method.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thermoelectric component is provided. The method comprises the following steps: producing a plurality of first layers of a first thermoelectric material, and producing a plurality of second layers of a second thermoelectric material, such that the first layers are arranged in alternation with the second layers. Producing the first and/or the second thermoelectric layers each comprises producing at least one first initial layer and at least one second initial layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a measuring unit, for measuring characteristics of a sample liquid, comprising a support member, having at least one upper bearing arm, with an upper bearing unit, at least one lower bearing arm, with a lower bearing unit, and a base, for being attachable to a respective measuring system; a shaft, having shaft toes and being rotatably supported about a rotation axis, by said upper bearing unit, and said lower bearing unit, wherein said upper bearing unit, said lower bearing unit, and said shaft toes form toe bearings, respectively; an interface member, having a detecting element, and a drive element, said interface member, being fixed on said shaft, and being connected to a coupling shaft, with a probe connector section, for measuring characteristics of said sample liquid; wherein said interface member, and the coupling shaft, are coaxially aligned with said shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for measuring the coagulation characteristics of a test liquid (1), in particular of a blood sample, is provided. According to the present invention standardized geometrical dimensions of a cup (2) and a respective pin (3) are modified for receiving maximum elasticity signal per volume test liquid without resulting in irreversible inelastic effects. In particular, the test liquid gap (8) between the cup (2) and the pin (3) is reduced, the diameter of the cup (2) and the pin (3) are increased and/or the geometry of test liquid accommodating portions (7; 10; 10?) are optimized for increasing the ratio between signal amplitude and a needed amount of test liquid (1) compared to standardized equipment.

Abstract: The present invention is related to nucleic acids coding for adhesion factors of group B streptococcus, adhesion factors of group B streptococcus and uses thereof. More particularly, the present invention is related to a polypeptide being such adhesion factors and comprising an amino acid sequence, whereby the amino acid sequence is selected from the group comprising SEQ ID NO 11 to SEQ ID NO 20, and the use of such polypeptide for the manufacture of a vaccine.

Abstract: A thermogenerator arrangement is provided. The thermogenerator arrangement comprising an electrically operable device, switching means by means of which the device can be switched from a first, energy-saving state to a second, active state and at least one thermogenerator which generates an electrical signal when there is a temperature change in its environment, which electrical signal is forwarded to the switching means. The switching means are formed such that switching the device from the first state to the second state is effected in dependence on the electrical signal of the thermogenerator.

Abstract: The present invention is related to nucleic acids coding for adhesion factors of group B streptococcus, adhesion factors of group B streptococcus and uses thereof. More particularly, the present invention is related to a polypeptide being such adhesion factors and comprising an amino acid sequence, whereby the amino acid sequence is selected from the group comprising SEQ ID NO 11 to SEQ ID NO 20, and the use of such polypeptide for the manufacture of a vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining at least one evaluation parameter of a blood sample, comprising the following steps: providing (S4) at least one blood gas parameter; providing (S5) at least one hemostasis parameter; and determining (S6 . . . 310?) the at least one evaluation parameter as a function of the blood gas parameter and/or the hemostasis parameter.

Abstract: The present invention is related to nucleic acids coding for adhesion factors of group B streptococcus, adhesion factors of group B streptococcus and uses thereof. More particularly, the present invention is related to a polypeptide being such adhesion factors and comprising an amino acid sequence, whereby the amino acid sequence is selected from the group comprising SEQ ID NO 11 to SEQ ID NO 20, and the use of such polypeptide for the manufacture of a vaccine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for production of at least one thermoelectric apparatus with the steps of: preparation of a first wafer (1) which is formed from a thermoelectric material of a first conductivity type; preparation of a second wafer which is formed from a thermoelectric material of a second conductivity type; structuring of the first wafer (1) so that a group of first thermoelectric structures (7) is produced; structuring of the second wafer so that a group of second thermoelectric structures is produced; linking of the first to the second wafer in such a manner that the first and the second thermoelectric structures are electrically connected together and thus form the thermoelectric apparatus. According to the invention, before the structuring of the first wafer (1), a first contact material (3) is deposited on the first wafer (1) and/or before the structuring of the second wafer, a second contact material is deposited onto the second wafer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a diagnostic composition for use in the viscoelastic analysis of a test liquid, and to a container (1) comprising same. The composition comprises at least an activator of coagulation, and, optionally CaCl2 an optionally, one or more inhibitors and/or coagulation components, wherein the composition is present as an essentially dry mixture of all constituents and in an amount sufficient for performing one single viscoelastic analysis of a specified blood or plasma sample. The present invention is further directed to a method of performing a viscoelastic analysis on a test liquid, and to the use of the diagnostic composition in such a method.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a measuring unit, for measuring characteristics of a sample liquid, comprising a support member, having at least one upper bearing arm, with an upper bearing unit, at least one lower bearing arm, with a lower bearing unit, and a base, for being attachable to a respective measuring system; a shaft, having shaft toes and being rotatably supported about a rotation axis, by said upper bearing unit, and said lower bearing unit, wherein said upper bearing unit, said lower bearing unit, and said shaft toes form toe bearings, respectively; an interface member, having a detecting element, and a drive element, said interface member, being fixed on said shaft, and being connected to a coupling shaft, with a probe connector section, for measuring characteristics of said sample liquid; wherein said interface member, and the coupling shaft, are coaxially aligned with said shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for measuring the coagulation characteristics of a test liquid (1), in particular of a blood sample, is provided. According to the present invention standardized geometrical dimensions of a cup (2) and a respective pin (3) are modified for receiving maximum elasticity signal per volume test liquid without resulting in irreversible inelastic effects. In particular, the test liquid gap (8) between the cup (2) and the pin (3) is reduced, the diameter of the cup (2) and the pin (3) are increased and/or the geometry of test liquid accommodating portions (7; 10; 10?) are optimized for increasing the ratio between signal amplitude and a needed amount of test liquid (1) compared to standardized equipment.

Abstract: To increase the adhesion strength of coagulated blood on a surface by increasing the surface interaction of blood-inherent components like fibrin/fibrinogen and thrombocytes it is described to treat the surface by exposing it to ionized atoms or molecules. The surface treatment according to the invention is applied on plastic disposables used in blood diagnostics (e.g. hemostasis analysis) as well as medical implants like artery sealings. The improved blood clot adhesion results in higher diagnostic security due to reduced measurement failure (e.g., for patients with increased thrombocyte content) and in better significance of special tests (e.g., hyperfibrinolysis diagnosis).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cartridge device for a measuring system for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid, in particular a blood sample, comprising a cartridge body having at least one measurement cavity formed therein and having at least one probe element arranged in said at least one measurement cavity for performing a test on said sample liquid; and a cover being attachable on said cartridge body; wherein said cover covers at least partially said at least one measurement cavity and forms a retaining element for retaining said probe element in a predetermined position within said at least one measurement cavity. The invention is directed to a measurement system and a method for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid.

Abstract: The present invention is related to nucleic acids coding for adhesion factors of group B streptococcus, adhesion factors of group B streptococcus and uses thereof. More particularly, the present invention is related to a polypeptide being such adhesion factors and comprising an amino acid sequence, whereby the amino acid sequence is selected from the group comprising SEQ ID NO 11 to SEQ ID NO 20, and the use of such polypeptide for the manufacture of a vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a diagnostic method for the determination of a coagulopathy in a patient, in particular, for calculating the individual need of blood components, preferably blood platelets and/or fibrinogen and/or Factor XIII, which has to be substituted in a patient.

Abstract: A direct current motor having a fixed stator coil module and a magnetic rotor that can be rotated around the perimeter of said module and forming an impeller at the same time. The coils, terminal and electric connecting lines as well as upstream motor control and voltage converter modules are embedded in a non-conductive casting compound. Power is supplied from an intrinsically safe accumulator or battery pack at a voltage that is still considered intrinsically safer using a higher current value to match the required motor output. The filter and blower unit can be used in zone “0” potentially explosive atmospheres.